Check Out

Early morning, and we hit the ice as the arena lights were coming on. The team was put in the visiting teams locker room which was already home to a collection of drying equipment. We started out pretty good in the first few minutes of the game, but then we made some critical errors. After the game we played last night I thought we would make some nice clean checks, but now no one checked. We waived our sticks at the puck, but never took the body or stopped advances along the boards. We overloaded at the wrong time, and were out of position most of the game. There were some nice goals, and some nice breakaways, but we failed to keep the puck out of our end, and did not get the puck deep in the offensive end. We should have worked the puck out of the corners and used our points more, but we didn't. The team we played was not much better skillwise than us, but when we don't play proper position and good puck placement then we have some big holes that open up. The other team used this to their advantage. We looked flat, and played tired. Lasts night's game took more out of us than I realized. Being the first game of the day is never easy, but that was the hand we were dealt. I saw some good moves, yet we did finish with a loss of 10 to 5 We did earn a point for the third period,(our best playing of the game) but we should have played a faster game. We still have a chance to move on if we win each period of the next game, but it will take a lot of effort. We will have to be sharp and play smart. We need to get back to basics and move the puck quickly. We need to get more quick shots on goal. This team can do it when they want to. Right now would be a good time to want to play our best. We shall see in a few hours. The chances we will play tomorrow are pretty narrow. Should I check out now or hang in there and see if we make it ? Hmmmmmm.